The air force has helped rescue a missing fisherman who was reported overdue, finding his dinghy drifting in the Pacific Ocean off Tokelau.
The New Zealand Defence Force P-8A Poseidon was on patrol when it responded to the emergency.
Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre requested that it search for a man in an aluminium dinghy, reported overdue following a fishing trip. He had departed from Atafu atoll, Tokelau, on December 17.
The aircraft was provided with a "detailed" search area, and the dinghy was expected to be drifting somewhere south of Atafu.
The boat and fisherman were located, and the Poseidon remained overhead until the vessel Fetu o te Moana reached him.
Aboard the plane was Air Marshal Tony Davies, chief of the Defence Force, who praised the work of the NZDF crew.
“It was great to watch our highly experienced crew demonstrate the capabilities used during patrols to counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region and for this successful search and rescue of the fisherman,” he said.
“The NZDF plays a key part in maritime domain awareness throughout the Realm of New Zealand, and the wider Pacific. It is exactly what these capable aircraft are built to do and we are proud to do our part in assisting our Pacific neighbours.”
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